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PostgreSQL 18 reference · Date and Time Functions

PostgreSQL NOW() Function

Return the current date and time with time zone, fixed at the start of the transaction. current_timestamp is the same.

PostgreSQL 18

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Syntax

now()  |  current_timestamp  |  clock_timestamp()

Return value

timestamp with time zone.

Examples

now() and current_timestamp
SELECT now() = current_timestamp AS same_value, now() > '2026-01-01' AS after_2026;

Output

 same_value | after_2026
------------+------------
 t          | t
(1 row)

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

now() vs clock_timestamp()
SELECT now() = now() AS fixed_in_transaction, clock_timestamp() >= now() AS clock_moves_on;

Output

 fixed_in_transaction | clock_moves_on
----------------------+----------------
 t                    | t
(1 row)

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

now() returns the same value for the whole transaction, so rows inserted together share a timestamp. Use clock_timestamp() when you need the time at the moment of the call.

In other languages

  • CURRENT_DATE · Return today's date (in the session's time zone) as a date with no time part. It's written without parentheses.
  • DATE_TRUNC() · Truncate a timestamp or interval to a unit such as 'month', 'week' or 'hour', for grouping by period.
  • AGE() · Subtract dates and return a 'symbolic' interval in years, months and days. With one argument it counts from today.
  • SQL Date Functions · tutorial

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